Its hard to believe, but between the industrial brutality of the top the end of Haggerston Road and the council estates at the other, lies a rather picturesque set of streets, filled with attractive Victorian housing. In this setting, the Duke of Wellington looks the epitome of charm. Sadly once inside it doesn't quite live up to this expectation. Our Sunday evening visit found an overtly bright and somewhat sparse pub, with little to excite for the eyes or the taste buds. A pool table and outside space made for a pleasant enough visit, but football seemed to be the main draw for the handful of men who congregated here. There's not much on the ale front, but it's a friendly enough place (toasted teacakes handed round in the afternoon), but with our initial (somewhat over ambitious) impressions proving to be a bit of an illusion, we soon moved on.

Catch one of the many buses that go up and down Kingsland Road, which go to/from either Dalston Kingsland Overground station, Old Street or Liverpool Street. Haggerston Road is close to the Regents Canal. Click the map for more details.